Method and system for use in monitoring neural activity in a subject's brain

Abstract

A system and method are presented for use in monitoring brain activity of a subject. The system comprises a control unit which comprises: a data input utility for receiving measured data comprising data corresponding to signals measured during a certain time period and being indicative of a subject's brain activity originated from locations in the subject's brain during said certain time period, and a processor utility which is configured and operable for processing the measured data and generating data indicative thereof in the form of a multi-parameter function presenting a relation between frequency and time data of the measured signals and for analyzing said relation and identifying a subject-related signature corresponding to the subject's brain neural activity.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for identifying a brain activation signature, the method comprising:
 providing a first set of spatial fMRI scan data corresponding to and showing activation of at least one brain region during an indicated time period and a second set of EEG temporal data measured by an EEG measurement unit at different measurement locations on a scalp during said indicated time period;
 analyzing said second set of EEG temporal data by selecting a specific set of measurement locations and measurement time points in said time period, and by identifying relevant frequency bands and/or relevant signal amplitudes and/or relevant signal amplitudes power in said temporal data; 
 identifying a correlation between the results of said analyzing and said activation of said at least one brain region as measured in said fMRI scan data to generate a brain activation signature of said second set of EEG temporal data which includes an indication of said at least one brain region and corresponds with activation of said at least one brain region, wherein said brain activation signature is in a form of a function describing a subset selection of frequency, time data and measurement locations which is sufficient for indicating activation of said at least one brain region without additional spatial scan data; and 
 storing said brain activation signature in a memory. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stored brain activation signature comprises one or more brain activation signatures, and data indicative of one or more brain states corresponding to the signatures. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , comprising applying certain one or more stimuli to the subject such that the measured data corresponds to the subject's brain response to said one or more stimuli. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , comprising repeating said providing, said analyzing, said identifying and said storing on a plurality of subjects and creating a database of signatures that is stored in the memory. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: developing a feedback protocol for training a specific subject for a certain stimulus, by identifying a modulation of at least one parameter of the signature, while under the application of the certain stimulus, corresponding to a functional state of the subject's brain at which one or more regions from which the measure signals are originated are at a desired activity level, and using the identified signature to select temporal signals indicative of said functional state. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 providing a predetermined EEG signature corresponding to a certain stimulus, said predetermined EEG signature being indicative of a spatial neural activation of one or more regions in a subject brain corresponding to individual functions of the brain while under said certain stimulus and thus corresponding to a predicted certain activity state related to a given stimulus; 
 applying said stimulus to a subject to activate said one or more brain regions; and 
 performing EEG measurements on the subject's brain for a controlled time period while under the application of the certain stimulus, and generating EEG data thereof; 
 
       processing said EEG data using said predetermined EEG signature to identify one or more parameters indicative of neural activation of said one or more regions by said given stimulus, and selecting from the EEG data EEG signals related to said neural activation. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , comprising: extracting a modulation of limbic activity from the EEG signals, comparing the extracted modulation of limbic activity to a desired modulation of limbic activity corresponding to said predicted certain activity state; and determining a degree of correlation between the modulation of limbic activity and the desired modulation of limbic activity, enabling to determine a psychological evaluation of said subject. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , comprising: upon identifying that the extracted modulation and the desired modulation have a high degree of correlation, conveying a message indicating success to the subject; and upon identifying that the extracted modulation and the desired modulation have a low degree of correlation, conveying a message indicating failure to the subject, such that the subject is trained to monitor limbic activity modulation of said one or more regions. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, after conveying a message indicating failure to the subject, repeating the EEG measurement on the subject while under the application of said stimulus and processing the EEG data. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 collecting a new set of temporal data; and 
 analyzing said new set of temporal data using said stored brain activation signature to identify activation of said at least one brain region. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said signature comprises a signature of activation of the amygdala. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a correlation comprises generating a per-person signature. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a correlation comprises generating a signature across people. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a correlation comprises generating a signature for a brain network. 
     
     
       15. A method for validating a brain activation signature, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first set of fMRI spatial scan data corresponding to and showing activation of at least one brain region during an indicated time period and a second set of EEG temporal data measured by electrodes of an EEG measurement unit during said indicated time period; 
 (b) analyzing said second set of EEG temporal data by selecting a specific set of electrodes and measurement time points in said time period and by identifying relevant frequency bands used in the measurement of said temporal data; 
 (c) identifying a correlation between the results of said analyzing and said activation of at least one brain region as measured in said fMRI scan data, to generate a first EEG brain activation signature including an indication of said at least one brain region and corresponds to the subject's brain neural activity of said at least one selected brain region, wherein said brain activation signature is in a form of a function describing a subset selection of frequency, time data and measurement locations which is sufficient for indicating activation of said at least one brain region without additional spatial scan data; 
 (d) storing said first EEG brain activation signature in a memory; and 
 (e) validating said first EEG brain activating signature by,
 (i) activating said at least one brain region; 
 (ii) measuring a set of EEG temporal data during said activating; 
 (iii) repeating (b)-(c) to generate a second EEG brain activation signature; 
 (iv) comparing said second EEG brain activation signature to said first EEG brain activation signature; and 
 (v) determining that said first EEG brain activation signature is valid, if said first EEG brain activation signature is similar to said second EEG brain activation signature. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 collecting a new set of temporal data; and 
 analyzing said new set of temporal data using said stored first brain activation signature to identify activation of said at least one brain region. 
 
     
     
       17. A system for use in monitoring brain activity of a subject, comprising:
 a computer system having a processor and a non-transitory computer readable memory connected to the processor; 
 a data input utility, wherein said data input utility executable by said processor is configured to receive a first set of EEG data corresponding to high temporal resolution signals measured by an EEG measurement unit during an indicated time period, and a second set of fMRI scan data corresponding to and showing activation of at least one brain region thereof; 
 
       wherein said processor is configured to generate a multi-parameter function presenting a relation between said high temporal resolution EEG data of said first set of data and said second set of fMRI scan data, to generate a brain activity signature from said first set of EEG data, which includes an indication of said at least one brain region and correlates with activation of said at least one brain region based on said multi-parameter function, wherein said brain activation signature is in a form of a function describing a subset selection of frequency, time data and measurement locations which is sufficient for indicating activation of said at least one brain region without additional spatial scan data, and to store said brain activity signature in said memory. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said stored brain activity signature is used to identify activation of said at least one brain region. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said data input utility is connectable to a first measurement unit and/or to a second measurement unit. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first measurement unit comprises electrodes and the measured data comprises electrical data measured on multiple electrodes configured to be placed at the multiple locations of a subject's scalp. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the electrical data is electroencephalography (EEG) data. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the first measurement unit comprises electrodes, the second measurement unit comprises an imaging device, and the first measured data comprises electrical data measured by said electrodes configured to be placed at one or more locations of the subject's scalp, and the second measured data being image data taken by the second measurement unit indicative of spatial scan of the multiple locations in the subject's brain; wherein the processor is configured and operable to use said image data for improving spatial resolution of the first measured data and to generate said signature. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said data input utility is connectable to at least one of the following: an output of said memory where said measured data is stored; and an output said measured data collecting device for collecting said measured data. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said processor is configured and operable to identify said brain activity signature by optimization of a value of one or more parameters of at least one predetermined model stored in the memory; said parameters being selected from at least one of: providing a set of measurement locations from which a part of said first type data is measured; determining time points of measurements of said signals; processing the first and second type data to determine spectral data and a relation between one or more frequency bands in the spectral data with the measurement location data to obtain inference of the frequency bands related to neural activation of one or more regions in the brain. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a non-invasive physiological measuring device, for independently measuring at least one physiological property of the subject being of a kind changing in response to neural activity in one or more regions of the brain;
 said processor being further configured and operable to receive the measured physiological response via said data input utility and ensure that the brain activity signature identified indicates neural activity at the corresponding region, via a comparison of the measured physiological response to a previously determined physiological response associated with neural activity of the corresponding region. 
 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said processor is configured and operable to create a database of brain activity signatures and store said database in the memory, the brain activity signatures being classified according to at least one of the following: subject's population, and brain states. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 17 , wherein said data input utility is connected to at least one measured data collecting device. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 27 , wherein said data input utility is connected to said at least one measured data collecting device for collecting measured data, wherein the measured data collecting device comprises:
 a first measurement unit comprising an EEG electrodes arrangement configured to be placed on a scalp of the subject and to detect said signals as electrical signals originated by neural activity of the subject's brain, said EEG electrodes configured and operable to generate the first set of data including EEG data indicative thereof; 
 
       the a second measurement unit comprising a spatial scanner configured and operable to scan the subject's brain and identify one or more regions of neural activity in the subject's brain and an activity level of said one or more regions corresponding to individual functions of the brain, and to generate the second set of scan data as spatial scan data;
 wherein said processor is configured and operable to control simultaneous operation of the EEG electrodes arrangement and the spatial scanner, and to receive and analyze the EEG data and the spatial scan data, to generate an EEG signature indicative of a spatial neural activation of one or more regions in the subject brain, thereby enabling use of said signature for further interpretation of at least one brain region activation state of said subject by using the EEG data. 
 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one measured data collecting device comprises a first and a second measurement unit, and the control unit is configured and operable to control simultaneous operation of the first and second measurement units and to receive and analyze the first and second type data to identify the signature indicative of a spatial neural activation of one or more regions in the subject brain, thereby enabling use of said signature for further interpretation of a brain functional state of said subject by using measured data provided by the first measurement unit. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the spatial scanner comprises at least one of: a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner; a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner; a magneto encephalographic (MEG) scanner; hemoencephalography (HEG) scanner; magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRS); positron emission tomography (PET); X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging device; single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging device; and a scanner based on ultrasound tagging of light or photoacoustic imaging. 
     
     
       31. A system for use in monitoring brain activity of a subject using EEG enhanced using additional data, the system comprising a control unit comprising:
 a data input utility for receiving measured data comprising data corresponding to signals measured during a certain time period and being indicative of a subject's brain activity and originated from the subject's brain during said certain time period, wherein said measured data is temporal and spatial data comprising first electroencephalography (EEG) temporal data being time and frequency function of EEG signals measured by an EEG measurement unit, and second spatial functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data for multiple locations within the brain provided by a fMRI scanner; and 
 a processor utility which is configured and operable for (a) analyzing said EEG temporal data by selecting a specific set of measurement locations and measurement time points in said time period; (b) identifying one or more parameters to be used in the processing of said measured EEG temporal data, wherein said parameters comprise one or more of frequency bands, signal amplitudes and signal amplitudes power; (c) processing the measured data using said identified one or more parameters and generating data indicative thereof in the form of a multi-parameter function presenting a relation between frequency and time data of said first EEG temporal data measured by the EEG measurement unit and said second spatial fMRI data measured from the multiple locations within the brain by said fMRI scanner; (d) analyzing said relation and identifying based on said analyzed relation at least one selected brain region; and for (e) generating a subject-related EEG signature based on said analyzed relation, including an indication of said at least one selected brain region and -corresponding to the subject's brain neural activity of said at least one selected brain region, wherein said subject-related EEG signature is in a form of a function describing a subset selection of frequency, time data and measurement locations which is sufficient for indicating activation of said at least one brain region without additional spatial scan data. 
 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said EEG measurement unit is configured to measure said first EEG temporal data corresponding to high temporal resolution signals during an indicated time period. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 32 , wherein said EEG measurement unit comprises at least one EEG electrode placed on a scalp of said subject configured to measure said first EEG temporal data. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said second spatial fMRI data comprises scan data corresponding to and showing activation of said at least one brain region thereof. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 34 , wherein said control unit comprises a non-transitory computer readable memory connected to the processor for storing said subject-related EEG signature. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 35 , wherein said stored subject-related EEG signature is used to identify activation of said at least one brain region. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said processor utility is configured to process said first EEG temporal data by selecting a specific set of measurement locations and measurement time points in said time period, and by identifying relevant frequency bands and/or relevant signal amplitudes and/or relevant signal amplitudes power in said EEG temporal data. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said processor utility is configured and operable for said identifying one or more frequency bands from frequency bands in a range of 0-51 Hz including frequency bands different from frequencies of alpha waves. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one selected brain region comprises limbic regions. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one selected brain region comprises the amygdala. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 31  wherein said subject-related signature is used for interpretation of a brain functional state of said at least one selected brain region of said subject from EEG temporal data recorded from the brain of said subject, and for providing a feedback signal to said subject based on said interpretation. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one selected brain region comprises the amygdala and wherein said subject is a subject diagnosed with PTSD. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said EEG measurement unit is configured to measure said temporal data, and/or said spatial scanner is configured to measure said spatial data while said subject reacts to a specific stimulus selected to trigger neural activity in said at least one selected brain region. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said multi-parameter function presents a relation between frequency of said measured EEG signals and time data of said neural activity of at least one selected brain region measured in said spatial fMRI data, within a time delay window of up to 12 seconds. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 31 , wherein said processor utility is configured and operable for analyzing a new set of EEG data using said generated EEG signature and said new EEG data to identify activation of said at least one selected brain region without processing new spatial scan data. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 45 , wherein said processor utility is configured and operable during said analyzing to identify using said generated EEG signature a portion in said new EEG data that correlates with activation of said at least one selected brain region. 
     
     
       47. A method for processing EEG signals using fMRI signals to generate and EEG signature, the method comprising:
 providing a first set of spatial functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan data measured by a fMRI scanner and corresponding to and showing activation of one or more brain regions during an indicated time period and a second set of EEG temporal data measured by an EEG measurement unit at different measurement locations on a scalp during said indicated time period; 
 analyzing said second set of EEG temporal data by selecting a specific set of measurement locations and measurement time points in said time period; 
 selecting one or more parameters to be used in the processing of said EEG temporal data, wherein said parameters comprise one or more of frequency bands, signal amplitudes and signal amplitudes power; 
 processing said EEG temporal data using said selected one or more parameters to generate a multi-parameter function presenting a relation between frequency and time data of said EEG temporal data measured at said different locations on said scalp; 
 identifying a correlation by a computer system between the results of said processing and said fMRI scan data indicating activation of least one selected brain region of said one or more brain regions; and 
 generating a brain activation signature which includes an indication of said at least one selected brain region and corresponds to the subject's brain neural activity of said at least one selected brain region, wherein said brain activation signature is in a form of a function describing a subset selection of frequency, time data and measurement locations which is sufficient for indicating activation of said at least one selected brain region without additional spatial scan data. 
 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 collecting a new set of EEG temporal data; and 
 analyzing said new set of EEG temporal data using said generated brain activation signature and said EEG temporal data to identify activation of said at least one selected brain region without processing new spatial scan data. 
 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 48 , wherein said multi-parameter function presents a relation between frequency of said measured EEG signals and time data of said neural activity of at least one selected brain region measured in said spatial fMRI data, within a time delay window of up to 12 seconds. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 48 , comprising:
 delivering a feedback signal related to the identified activation of said at least one brain region. 
 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 50 , wherein said delivering comprises delivering said feedback signal to a PTSD patient. 
     
     
       52. The method according to  claim 48 , wherein said at least one brain region comprises the amygdala. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 48 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying using said generated brain activation signature a portion in said new set of EEG data that correlates with activation of said at least one selected brain region. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 47 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting said one or more frequency bands from frequency bands in a range of 0-51 Hz including frequency bands different from frequencies of alpha waves. 
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 47 , wherein said first set of spatial fMRI data and said second set of EEG temporal data are measured in a healthy subject.